(British Medical Journal) -- Although the use of cannabis is not harmless, its link with death is still not established, argues a senior researcher in this week's BMJ.
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September 23, 2003
By Alice Chang, M.D.
Harvard Medical School
What Is The Doctor's Reaction?
This article did not actually promote cannabis or marijuana use but explains why we cannot link it directly to serious health problems or death. There is an important difference between not seeing an effect and proving that a substance is safe. A study might show there is no increase in death associated with cannabis or marijuana, but you have to learn more about the study before assuming that it is "safe."
The editorial from the British Medical Journal outlines what studies have shown about cannabis use and what they have not shown. Probably because cannabis is illegal, very few older adults use it. It is also not smoked in great quantities like cigarettes. So these studies do not make a good argument for legalizing use, since we don't know what would happen if people smoked into later adulthood for many years and if use increased to many cigarettes per week. In particular, we might see higher rates of lung cancer and heart disease. In one study, people who had smoked marijuana had a higher risk of heart attacks within one hour after smoking a marijuana cigarette.
One aspect not addressed by this editorial is the possible decline in the cognitive "thinking" function, during chronic cannabis use. Although no studies have confirmed these effects are irreversible, there is not enough study information to rule out the possibility that an increase in use and number of years of use could lead to permanent effects on brain function or promote dementia.
What Changes Can I Make Now?
If you have children, you should talk to them about why they should not smoke marijuana or use other substances such as alcohol, cocaine and heroin. Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to becoming users or abusers and developing addiction. The following tips can help you protect your children:
- Make sure you tell them that you disapprove and why you disapprove. Studies show that children and teen-agers are more likely not to use tobacco and illegal drugs if a parent clearly voices his or her opinion. The absence of an opinion can seem like approval to a child.
- Suggest ways they can avoid marijuana use at a party. Practice a dialogue when friends offer them alcohol or other substances.
- Emphasize the dangers of alcohol and illegal drug use and driving. In particular, tell them they should not ride in a car when the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Tell them they can call you at any time for a ride.
- Offer to rescue them from parties at any time. This may take some hard work on your part but try not to be angry with them if they do call you from a wild party. The important thing is that they used their judgment to get out of a dangerous situation.
- Offer to be their excuse. If friends pressure them, tell them they can blame their Mom or Dad.
What Can I Expect Looking To The Future?
People will continue to debate making cannabis legal for recreational use. For the reasons outlined in this editorial, it is unlikely that any argument can be made to or from the medical community that legal use would be safe. Since the numbers of people using cannabis into adulthood are fortunately low, it will take larger studies looking far into the future to better judge the safety of this drug.
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